TRENTON
- The New Jersey Department of the Treasury's Division of Taxation announced
today that it has joined the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in offering
special assistance to military families filing 2002 income-tax returns.
This initiative follows Governor James E. McGreevey's recent decision
to enact a series of enhanced benefits for New Jersey National Guard
members on active duty as part of Operation Liberty Shield.
"The
men and women of the United States Armed Forces are owed a tremendous
debt of gratitude for their efforts at home and abroad," said Governor
McGreevey. "It is incumbent upon us to do what we can to provide
them with the support they deserve."
As
such, the deadline for filing New Jersey state income-tax returns has
been extended for members of the military who are engaged in combat-zone
activity. Qualifying Armed Forces personnel will have a minimum of 180
days following the end of their combat duty or the final day of any
continuous hospitalization required for injuries suffered during such
service to file their New Jersey income-tax returns. This extension
also applies to any tax-payment obligations, refund claims, or additional
necessary transactions between the state's Division of Taxation and
military personnel taking part in or stationed overseas in support of
operations in a designated hazardous-duty area.
"The
men and women of our military are performing valiantly in their mission
to liberate the people of Iraq while protecting those of us at home
in the U.S.," said Robert Thompson, director of the Division of
Taxation. "They are working tirelessly in an extremely dangerous
environment. This is clearly not the time for them to be concerned about
their tax returns, and the State of New Jersey is eager to offer them
this small courtesy."
The
Division of Taxation is working with the IRS to identify reservists
and regular military personnel who are currently serving in a combat
zone or are contributing to related operations. The spouses or authorized
representatives of these individuals can also claim a filing extension
on their behalf by submitting a return with the words "Combat Zone"
and the date of deployment clearly marked at the top of the form. Additional
information about tax benefits available to military personnel can be
found at the Internal Revenue Service's web site, IRS.gov, by clicking
on "Armed Forces Tax Benefits."
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